Just wired up my Grado.

[walpurgis]

I'm listening to a vintage, but mint Grado F1+ at the moment. I bought it ages ago and never got around to trying it. I'd forgotten how enjoyable Grados are. I normally use an MC. This is really nice, good detail and depth, smooth extended top with no grittiness. Cymbals coming across just right. Bass seems more extended than I recall. This could be a keeper. Mind you, I do seem to have an awful lot of cartridges at the moment.

Think I might bung an ADC on the arm tomorrow for comparison. That's a good yardstick by any non MC standard.

[Barry]

Grado always made good cartridges (and still do). My only direct experience of a Grado was with an FTE+1. Bought over thirty years ago for, I think, £15, it was a belter!

[walpurgis]

Well I've finished listening for now. But the lasting impression is one of musicality and a very smooth sound, especially at the top and quite noticeably reduced surface noise. Much different to the F3+ I had years ago, which was nice but slightly bright. If there were any significant flaws in the presentation my system would definitely reveal them.

[Arkless Electronics]

I had an FCE+1 as my first brand new and better than an old Shure cart when I was about 15 and it was fantastic. Only cost about £15. I tried it years later and was still impressed. I tried a Prestige Black about 15 years ago and thought it awful though. Far too warm and woolly and no top end.

[walpurgis]

I'll spend a bit more time evaluating this one, but I think I'll be hanging onto it. Especially as it cost me very little. What's to lose?

There aren't many non MC carts I come across that I really like (apart from Deccas and ADCs), but seems to be another.

[danilo]

I bought grado carts.. yes the cheapy F's when Shures vanished from the market place .. early 80"s ? Can't remember exactly.
Grado was virtually identical sounding to my previous Shures. M95's, V15's, Only they cost more.. grr.
Still have a couple of F xx types... even their boxes.
Later/last bought Black Grado was similar sounding.. no worse, but No better either. Bit wooly bass, highs not as crisp as they should be.
Mid Fi as quick descriptor
Decent sounds but nothing engaging.
Recent AT 95VL is proving a whole world of improvement.. over all predecessors shure and grado.. which I did compare them to... true.

But then Vinyl hasn't been of any focus/fascination for me since early 80's either... gotten rather used to sounds sans; snap, crackle, or pop.